Stopwatch-timer assembly with improved stopwatch contact mechanism

ABSTRACT

A combination of a hand-held timer, including an actuator for initiating operation of the timer, and a switch which is closed on operation of the actuator. The switch is connected by means of a metallic pawl through a flexible conductor, to a remote electrically operated device and acts to control operation of the remote device upon operation of the timer. In a modified form of the invention, an annular insulative element with a conductive layer electrically connected to the timing device is rigidly fixed to the exterior of the stopwatch casing. Upon depression of a metallic plunger, an electrical circuit is completed and consequently a time interval is measured.

United States Patent Richey Mar. 27, 1973 CONTACT MECHANISM [75] Inventor: I Charles F. Richey, Springfield,

Oreg. [73] Assignee: Data Time, Inc., Beaverton, Oreg. 221 Filed: June 23, 1971 [21 Appl. No.: 156,005

[52] US. Cl. .......200/38 R, 58/39.5, 200/38 FB [51] Int. Cl. ..I-I01h 19/10, G04f 9/06 [58] Field of Search.....200/38 R, 38 FB, 38 D, 38 A; 58/395, 74

'[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,260,807 7/1966 Rulseh et al. ..200/38 FB 3,254,166 5/1966 Rulseh et al.

8/1966 Beguin ..200/38 FB Hever ..58/74 Kaufman ..58/74 Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott Attorney-Kolisch, Hartwell & Dickinson ABSTRACT A combination of a hand-held timer, including an actuator for initiating operation of the timer, and a switch which is closed on operation of the actuator. The switch is connected by means of av metallic pawl through a flexible conductor, to a remote electrically operated device and acts to control operation of the remote device upon operation of the timer.. In a modified form of the invention, an annular insulative element with a conductive layer electrically connected to the timing device is rigidly fixed to the exterior of the stopwatch casing. Upon depression of a metallic plunger, an electrical circuit is completed and consequently a time interval is measured.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures STOPWATCI-I-TIMER ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED STOPWATCII CONTACT MECHANISM This invention relates to a combination of a handheld timer and switch means on the timer operatively connected to an electrically operated device, remote from the timer, for controlling operation of theremote device in conjunction with operation of the timer.

Often when an event is to be timed it may be desired to use both a conventional mechanically-actuated timer, such as a hand-held stopwatch, and an electrically operated device of some type. An example of this would be in the timing of sporting events in which electronic timers and displays are now being more widely used. To produce a close correlation between the times indicated by the conventional stopwatch and the electronic timer means must be provided for actuating the two simultaneously.

A general object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a novel combination wherein a hand-held timer is operatively connected through a conductor to an electrically operated device remote from the timer, and switch means in the timer controls operation of the remote device simultaneously with operation of the timer.

A conventional hand-held timer, or stopwatch, generally includes a depressible actuating plunger linked to mechanical movement for the timer. The plunger may be hooked to the movement in such a manner as to release the movement for operation, or to engage the hands or dials on the watch with a movement which is already operating, thus to start the timer. More specifically, then, it is an object of the invention to provide switch meanson said timer for controlling a remote device, which switch means is actuated upon depressing such a plunger. I

Another object of the invention is to provide such a combination wherein the'switch means is mounted internally of a case for the timer, whereby such is protected from damage.

These and other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a combination according to the invention including a hand-held timer, an electrically-operated device remote from the timer, and a conductor interconnecting the timer and device.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the back side of the timer with a portion broken away;

FIG. 3 is a view taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a' modified form of switch means for the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and first more specifically to FIG. 1, at is indicated generally a conventional hand-held stopwatch, or timer. The stopwatch includes a depressible plunger, or actuator, 12 which controls starting and stopping of the stopwatch, as will be described in greater detail below. A second plunger 14 is operable to reset the hands of the watch to their zero settings.

Plunger 12 includes a stem 16 (see FIG. 2) which extends slidably through a collar 20 secured to case 24 of the watch, and an enlarged head 22 disposed outwardly from the collar. The inner end of stem 16 is illustrated at 16a in FIG. 2, where a portion of the back of case 24 has been broken away to illustrate mechanism in the watch. The plunger is movable between its position illustrated in FIG. 2, with head 22 spaced outwardly from the collar, and a depressed position wherein the head is closer to the collar.

Inner end 16a of stem 16 contacts one end of an elongated arm 30. Arm 30 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a screw 32 for rocking movement in clockwise and counterclockwise directions as seen in FIG. 2.

Pivotally mounted on the other end of arm 30 is a pawl 36. The pawl is yieldably biased into engagement with teeth 38a on a ratchet wheel 38 by an elongated spring wire 40.

Ratchet wheel 38 is jou rnaled for rotation on a screw 44. Teeth 38a on wheel 38 have such configuration that when engaged by pawl 36 the wheel is permitted to rotate only in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2.

The combination of the plunger, lever arm, and pawl thus far described is operable to advance ratchet wheel 38 in a clockwise direction the distance.of one tooth 38a each time plunger 12 is depressed.

Secured to the top of ratchet wheel 38, for rotation therewith, is a cam wheel 48. Wheel 48 has circumferentially spaced projections 50 thereon which extend upwardly (toward the viewer in FIG. 2) from the remainder of the cam wheel. A follower arm 52 is jour- ,naled on a screw 56 for rocking movement in clockwise and counterclockwise directions as viewed in FIG. 2. Means (not shown) connected to the follower arm yieldably biases it in a counterclockwise direction, whereby its end 52a engages projections 50 on the cam wheel.

Follower arm 52 and projections 50 are so positioned that, with the ratchet wheel and cam wheel in the positions shown in FIG. 2, end 520 of the follower arm extends inwardly, toward screw 44, between a pair of projections 50. Upon rotation of the ratchet wheel by a single operation of plunger 12, the ratchet wheel will advance the distance of one tooth 38a and end 52a of follower arm 52 will ride outwardly onto the peripheral side of a projection 50. This rocks follower arm 52 clockwise about its associated screw 56.

Another portion of follower arm 52, indicated partially at 52b, is connected through various mechanical linkages to the mechanical movement for the watch to initiate, or stop, operation of the watch, depending upon whether end 52a extends between a pair of projections 50 or is supported on the'peripheral side of a projection. Explaining further, the watch illustrated is of the type which has a continuously operating movement. Each time plunger 12 is depressed it acts through arm 30, pawl 36, and wheels 38, 48 to rock follower arm 52, whereby its end 52a is either between a pair of projections 50 or resting on the outer side of a projection. With the follower arm in one of said positions the watch movement is placed in driving engagement with the hands of the watch and the watch is started, and with the follower arm in its other position the movement is disengaged from the hands of the watch and the watch is stopped.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an elongated rigid wire 60, also referred to herein as a contact element, is

mounted within case 24 with one of its ends 60a ad jacent pawl 36. End 600 is positioned whereby it is spaced from pawl 36 when plunger 12 is not depressed (as seen in FIG. 2) and is contacted by the pawl when the plunger is depressed.

Wire 60 is sheathed in electrically insulating material 62 over a major portion of its length, with its end 60a left bare. The wire is supported in the case by an insulated mounting block 64 in such a manner that its bare end 60a is spaced from the case, as best seen in FIG. 3, the wire having sufficient rigidity that it will maintain this distance from the case. The opposite end of the wire is connected to the center stem 70 of a bayonet coupling member 72 secured to the outside of the case. The outer portion 74 of coupling member 72 is electrically insulated from stem 70 and is electrically connected through case 24 to plunger 12, arm 30, and pawl 36.

An electronic timer 78 (see FIG. 1), also referred to herein as an electrically-operated device, is operatively connected to stopwatch by elongated flexible conductor means 80. Conductor means 80 includes a pair of conductors, indicated generally at 82, 84 in FIG. 2, which are connected to the stopwatch through a disconnectable coupling 86 of which coupling member 72 is a part. One of the conductors is electrically connected through the coupling to wire 60 and the other conductor is connected through the coupling to the case of the watch, and thus to pawl 36.

By depressing plunger 12, arm 30 is rocked to move pawl 36 into contact with end 60a of wire 60. Pawl 36 and wire 60 being electrically connected to conductor 82, 84, respectively, thus act as the contact elements of a switch in the watch to close a circuit between the conductors. The closing of such circuit in turn will control operation of timer 78. With this combination, a single depression of plunger 12 simultaneously initiates operation of stopwatch 10 and electric timer 78. A successive depression of plunger 12 would stop operation of the stopwatch, and the electronic timer could be constructed whereby this second contact of pawl 36 with wire 60 would act to stop the electronic timer also.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein a portion of case 24 and collar are shown in cross section to illustrate the manner in which the stem of plunger 12 extends therethrough. Secured to collar 20 by a set screw 90 is an annular element, or collar, 92 formed of rigid, electrically insulating material. Element 92 has a hole extending through its center through which the stem of plunger 12 extends into the case. A layer of conductive material, such as copper, 94 is secured to the top of element 92. A wire 96 extending upwardly through element 92 is electrically connected at one of its ends to material 94. The opposite end of wire 96 (not shown) is connected to the center-stem of a bayonet coupling member such as that illustrated at 70 for coupling 72 in FIG. 2.

The modified form of the invention operates in much the same manner as that previously described, in that when plunger 12 is depressed, it not only controls operation of the stopwatch but also closes a circuit leading to electronic timer-78. In this modified form of the invention the plunger which is connected to case 24 and thus to one of the conductors acts as one of the contact elements for a switch on the stopwatch, with material 94 on element 92 acting as the other contact element.

While a preferred and a modified embodiment of the invention have been described herein, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is claimed and desired to secure to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination of a hand-held mechanically driven stopwatch for precisely measuring the elapsed time of an event having at least one hand that is started and stopped to measure such time,

an electrically operated timing device remote from the stopwatch for precisely measuring the elapsed time of an event having indicating means which is started and stopped to measure such time,

control means on said stopwatch actuatable to start and stop the hand of the stopwatch,

switch means on the stopwatch actuated with actuation of said control means,

electrical conductor means operatively connecting said switch means on said stopwatch and the electrically operated timing device whereby actuation of said switch means starts and stops the indicating means of the timing device simultaneously with starting and stopping of the hand of the stopwatch.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a depressible plunger operable to control the mechanical drive for the hand of the stopwatch, and said switch means includes a contact operatively connected to said plunger to be moved with movement of said plunger.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said stopwatch includes a conductive case having a bore extending therethrough, said plunger is conductively connected with said case and comprises a stem portion extending slidably through said bore and an enlarged head on said stem portion outside of said case, said conductor means comprises a pair of conductors, and said switch means comprises one contact at the base of said head conductively connected through the plunger and case to one conductor and another contact adjacent the base of said head insulated from the case and connected to the other of said pair of conductors.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a depressible plunger operable to control the mechanical drive for the hand of the stopwatch, and said switch means comprises one contact which is on the-base of the plunger and another contact underlying said plunger against which the one contact is moved when the plunger is depressed.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said stopwatch includes a case and said switch means is mounted internally of said case.

6. The combination of claim 5, which further comprises a disconnectable coupling mounted externally of said case and said electrical conductor means connecting the switch means and the timing device includes a pair of conductors connected to said switch means through said coupling.

7. The combination of a hand-held mechanically driven stopwatch for precisely measuring the elapsed time of an event having at least one hand that is started and stopped to measure such time,

an electrically operated timing device remote from the stopwatch for precisely measuring the elapsed time of'an event having indicating means which is started and stopped to measure such time,

said stopwatch including control means for starting and stopping the hand of the stopwatch comprising an actuator element on the stopwatch movable between a pair of spaced positions, with movement of said actuator element from one of its positions to its other position initiating movement of the hand on the stopwatch,

switch means on said stopwatch including a pair of contacts, at least one contact being movable with respect to the other on actuation of the switch means to make and break the switch means, said movable contact being connected to said actuator element to be moved with movement of the actuaously with starting and stopping of said hand of the stopwatch, one of said conductors being electrically connected to one of said contacts and the other conductor being electrically connected to the other contact. 

1. The combination of a hand-held mechanically driven stopwatch for precisely measuring the elapsed time of an event having at least one hand that is started and stopped to measure such time, an electrically operated timing device remote from the stopwatch for precisely measuring the elapsed time of an event having indicating means which is started and stopped to measure such time, control means on said stopwatch actuatable to start and stop the hand of the stopwatch, Switch means on the stopwatch actuated with actuation of said control means, electrical conductor means operatively connecting said switch means on said stopwatch and the electrically operated timing device whereby actuation of said switch means starts and stops the indicating means of the timing device simultaneously with starting and stopping of the hand of the stopwatch.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a depressible plunger operable to control the mechanical drive for the hand of the stopwatch, and said switch means includes a contact operatively connected to said plunger to be moved with movement of said plunger.
 3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said stopwatch includes a conductive case having a bore extending therethrough, said plunger is conductively connected with said case and comprises a stem portion extending slidably through said bore and an enlarged head on said stem portion outside of said case, said conductor means comprises a pair of conductors, and said switch means comprises one contact at the base of said head conductively connected through the plunger and case to one conductor and another contact adjacent the base of said head insulated from the case and connected to the other of said pair of conductors.
 4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a depressible plunger operable to control the mechanical drive for the hand of the stopwatch, and said switch means comprises one contact which is on the base of the plunger and another contact underlying said plunger against which the one contact is moved when the plunger is depressed.
 5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said stopwatch includes a case and said switch means is mounted internally of said case.
 6. The combination of claim 5, which further comprises a disconnectable coupling mounted externally of said case and said electrical conductor means connecting the switch means and the timing device includes a pair of conductors connected to said switch means through said coupling.
 7. The combination of a hand-held mechanically driven stopwatch for precisely measuring the elapsed time of an event having at least one hand that is started and stopped to measure such time, an electrically operated timing device remote from the stopwatch for precisely measuring the elapsed time of an event having indicating means which is started and stopped to measure such time, said stopwatch including control means for starting and stopping the hand of the stopwatch comprising an actuator element on the stopwatch movable between a pair of spaced positions, with movement of said actuator element from one of its positions to its other position initiating movement of the hand on the stopwatch, switch means on said stopwatch including a pair of contacts, at least one contact being movable with respect to the other on actuation of the switch means to make and break the switch means, said movable contact being connected to said actuator element to be moved with movement of the actuator element, and a pair of elongated flexible conductors operatively interconnecting said switch means on the stopwatch and said indicating means of the timing device whereby actuation of said switch means starts and stops said indicating means simultaneously with starting and stopping of said hand of the stopwatch, one of said conductors being electrically connected to one of said contacts and the other conductor being electrically connected to the other contact. 